Sylvia Holthen

SAFETY LOCK AK-47

Danish Demining Group

SAFETY LOCK AK-47

SAFETY LOCK AK-47 is a new weapon lock for the AK-47, the most common weapon in the world, for use in developing countries.

JURY COMMENTS

Not every household needs to lock its AK47 but every weapon should have an optional lock. This is a truly big idea.

SAFETY LOCK AK-47

1. The Nutshell: In plain language, tell us what your project is, what it does, and what it’s comprised of.

SAFETY LOCK AK-47 is a new weapon lock for the AK-47, the most common weapon in the world, for use in developing countries.

2. The Brief: Summarize the problem you set out to solve. What was the context for the project, and what was the challenge posed to you? Who is the at-risk population, and what behavior do you seek to change in this population?

According to The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) approximately 740,000 people die as a result of armed violence each year.

In Somalia weapons are part of everyday life. Conflict and civil war has ravaged the country for two decades. The Danish Demining Group is working with the clearing of mines in several areas of Somalia, but increasingly also with the so-called AVR program – Armed Violence Reduction. The program is about creating awareness and teaching about the risks associated with living in a society with many weapon and filled with unexploded ordnance. It is in this context SAFETY LOCK AK-47 was created based on the numbers and an immediate solution to the problem. 70 present of all shots are accidents. Everyone walks around with an unsecured AK-47. There was a need for a new device to prevent this damage. The lock was created for the needs of Somalia, but is now on its way to several other developing countries.

3. The Intent: What point of view did you bring to the project, and were there additional criteria that you added to the brief?

I have designed and developed the weapon lock based on the formal requirements: First and foremost to lock the trigger to prevent accidents and make it inaccessible to children. Then make the magazine impossible to steal by encapsulating the control button. Ammunition is money. This feature is crucial for the target users who will leave their weapons locked. Last but not least, the weapon can be locked either at home or in different places. People can be able to walk around with a key rather than a loaded gun without fear of the weapon being stolen.

My research and fieldwork was done in the Somali desert, visiting nomads and clans, but also in more urban civilized areas. It was crucial for me to understand how they lived and used/storage their weapons. Appendix to that I´ve spoken with senior weapons experts and studied a bunch of pictures from Somalia, showing how the lock is supposed to be used. As mentioned, local blacksmiths produce the lock. A part of the process was to work with them, which led to the final prototype. For me it is all about an approach to design that allows me to make a difference in peoples’ lives. It’s about much more than design – it’s about creating some solutions that work in situations that are complex and in which design can optimize treatment or minimize damage.

5. The Value: How does your project earn its keep in the world? What is its value? What is its impact? (Social, educational, economic, paradigm-shifting, sustainable, environmental, cultural, gladdening, etc.)

SECURITY LOCK AK-47 is trying to do with the perception and recognition of safety in developing countries. SECURITY LOCK AK-47 solves three basic problems, and makes the community safer. At the same time, the weapon lock should also be produced with as little cost as possible by local blacksmiths, with local available materials in developing countries, and thus generate work for the residents. Costs of the lock is funded by the DDG’s fundraising and given out without payment. Demand is therefore high among the locals.

6. How can you be sure that the values you are advancing are desired by the community you are working with?

Danish Demining Group AVR program – Armed Violence Reduction, has already made a formidable effort in awareness and attitudes in these communities. Today´s reality is that “users” welcomes this approach and sees the value of a safer society.

7. How will your project remain economically and operationally sustainable in the long term?

As mentioned, all costs of the project is funded by the DDG’s fundraising and given out for free. The demand is therefore high among the locals.